Tarz Press: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released a new report detailing the state of human rights in Afghanistan over the past three months. Covering the period from July 1 to September 30, the report reveals that the Taliban sentenced 111 individuals, including 16 women, to public corporal punishment during this time.
These punishments, often carried out via flogging for various alleged offenses, reflect the Taliban’s ongoing repressive policies, which starkly conflict with human rights principles. UNAMA noted that discriminatory treatment and extrajudicial killings of former military personnel continue under the Taliban’s rule. The report documented 10 cases of torture and mistreatment of former security forces, and at least five former security personnel were killed, raising serious concerns about their safety.
The report also highlighted four terrorist attacks by ISIS over the past three months, resulting in the deaths of over 28 civilians and injuries to 50 others. These attacks mainly targeted religious and ethnic minorities, particularly the Hazara community, underscoring the ongoing insecurity for these groups.
Another significant aspect of the UNAMA report is the structural changes in restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Previously enforced through verbal orders and decrees, these restrictions are now codified as official laws under the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. These laws include mandatory face-covering for women, obligatory beard-wearing for men, mandatory participation in congregational prayers, and bans on music and public celebrations. These measures have severely restricted individual freedoms, especially impacting women’s social status.
UNAMA’s findings also reveal that the Taliban continues arbitrary detentions and torture of individuals associated with the former government. During this three-month period, 24 cases of arbitrary and unlawful detentions were documented, highlighting the ongoing harsh and inhumane treatment of political opponents and former military personnel.
The report also covers ISIS attacks, including one in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul. This attack, targeting a Shia and Hazara-populated area, resulted in one death and 13 injuries. Another attack in Nangarhar left six dead and four injured, indicating the persistent threat extremist groups pose to civilian safety.
UNAMA also reported on clashes along the Durand Line between the Taliban and Pakistani forces, leading to civilian casualties and significant damage. These border conflicts have heightened tensions and raised concerns about escalating violence in border areas, further pressuring local populations.
In the realm of freedom of expression and media, UNAMA highlighted new restrictions by the Taliban, such as requiring media to stop live broadcasting of political programs and limiting public commentary by religious scholars. These changes suggest that the Taliban seeks to further control media and public discourse.
The report also cited a statement from the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice, declaring that criticism of the Taliban’s laws and decrees is unacceptable and equates to criticism of Sharia law. This statement raises serious concerns about further restrictions on freedom of expression and silencing dissent.
UNAMA emphasized that social restrictions, particularly on Afghan women, continue and significantly limit their rights and freedoms. Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, head of the Taliban’s Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, recently stated that women should refrain from reciting religious phrases like “Alhamdulillah” and “SubhanAllah” aloud in public.
This report has triggered widespread international responses. Among them, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described these restrictions as a “horrific attack” on the rights of Afghan women and girls, characterizing it as an attempt to completely erase women from the public sphere.
